Capping deep water oil leaks

ABSTRACT

A deep water system to control oil leakage on the ocean floor consists of two main parts. The two parts are common geometric shapes. The shapes are a torus and a sphere. A torus is placed on the ocean floor, enclosing the drill entry site (or leak area) within its inner perimeter. A sphere is placed and seated in the torus opening thus sealing the open area above the drill site. The torus, of course, by its weight, shape and mass, seals the area upon which it sits on the sea floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Accidents at drilling sites in the world's oceans can, and do, occur.When such accidents result in leaks at the ocean floor the leak must bestopped at the site of the leak.

Stopping the leak is necessary for obvious reasons; however subsequentcontrol of oil flow at the site is also a major objective.

The capping and subsequent tapping of leaks can be accomplished now,without any “new” technologies.

The science for such capping and subsequent tapping of leaks currentlyexists.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Step #1—Center a large torus over the leak on the ocean floor.

Step #2—Lower the torus and place it on the ocean floor, so itencompasses (surrounds) the leak site.

Step #3—Lower a sphere whose dimensions complement the torus' centeropening so as to allow the sphere to seat itself in and upon the toruscenter.

For the purpose of identification, the combination of torus and sphere,and all associated mechanisms such as tethers and taps will be referredto as the product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This product has two major pieces—a torus and a sphere.

The torus, once lowered above the leak, seals itself against the oceanfloor by its shear size, shape, and mass.

The sphere can be simply a sphere and act as a plug.

Creating a more versatile plug (one which allows subsequent tapping) isadvisable.

It will be noted that the simple plug and the plug with a tapping deviceare interchangeable.

The sphere, once lowered and cradled in the torus hole, seals itselfagainst the torus by its sheer size, shape, and mass.

The ocean floor, the torus, and the sphere together form an enclosurewhich will contains and stop the sea floor leak they encompass.

Variations on the torus/sphere concept can vary for expediency and costparticularly on the periphery of the torus.

The essence of the torus/sphere seal is at the torus/sphere interface,so variations on those points not associated with the seal area of thetorus may be considered and used successfully.

Placing a tap or tapping device, in or on, the sphere as well as in oron the torus section will allow future controlled oil flow and capturefor extraction.

Placing a tap or tapping device, in or on, the sphere as well as in oron the torus section will allow future testing at the source of theleak.

Taps can be designed to be bi-directional.

Taps can be tethered from above, and stay so.

Existing, as well as, novel controls for the tap operations can beinterchangeable, if design considerations for such change isincorporated at the tap site on the product.

Redundant tap operation controls will also exist at the platform levelabove the sea.

Emergency shutoffs will exist in and on the product.

1. The use of a torus like structure and a spherical shaped structureused in combination will form an enclosure above a sea floor oil leak.2. The central area of a torus like structure can serve as a drillingsite prior to the start of drilling operations.
 3. Tapping devices maybe incorporated in or on the sphere and torus.
 4. Tethering points willexist on the torus and sphere pieces of the product.
 5. The product canbe equipped with emergency shut off systems.